wilkins



(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet v2.

A. G. WILKINS.

BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

No. 518,708. Patented Apr. 24, 1894.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. G. WILKINS. BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

No. 518,708. Patented Apr. 24, 1894.

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A. G. WILKINS.V BUTTON SETTING MACHINE.

Patented Apr. 24, 1894'l www4/Lto@ mu@ owwn wl NAnNAI. Lrmoalumum calAPANv.

`occasion requires it. A slot 2 is formed dia- UNiTiE STATES y NrnNr OFFICE- ALEXANDER G. VILKINS, OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE WILKINS SHOE BUTTON FASTENER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.-

NG MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 518,708, dated April 24, 1894.

Application filed October 20, 1893.

To @ZZ whomy it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER G. WILKINs, of Meadville, in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Button-Setting Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in button setting machines and more particularly to an improvement on the construction disclosed in Letters Patent No. 484,835, granted to me October 25, 1892, the object of the present construction being to simplify and reduce the number of parts employed and thereby produce a machine which will operate to better advantage, produce better resultsV and provide a machine which can be placed on the market at a reduced cost. Wvith these ends in view my present invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure l is a view in side elevation one section of the button hopper being removed. Fig. 2 is an opposite side elevation. Fig. 3 is a view in rear elevation, parts being in section. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in front elevation, a portion being in section. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail showing the clamp in position holding the button, and the clinching apparatus in the act of clinching. Fig. 6 is a detached view of the detent. Fig. 7 is a rear view of the clamp showing the shaft upon which itis held in section andthe removable die in section. Fig. 8 shows the parts of the clamp detached. Fig. 9 is a view showing the shaft on which the clamp is carried, and Fig. 10 is a view showing the anvil, ferrule, &c.

A represents a hollow standard supported on a suitable base and B is a head held on the upper end of the standard preferably by a set screw 1 so that it may be yremoved if lnetrically through the head and the latter may be made hollow if desired for purposes of lightness. Cross-head 3 is secured on the serial No. 488,724. on mdem upper end of a rod 4 incased in the standard, by means of a removable key 5 or otherwise and this cross-head is constructed and adapted to reciprocate up and down in the head B the length of the vertical slot 2 formed therein and in which slot the cross head lies.

y To further insure a proper operation of the cross-head and prevent lateral play, the cross head is mounted to travel on a depending 6o guide rod 7 which for convenience in renewing or adjusting should this be required is held by means of a set screw 8 in a lug 9 projecting laterally from the upper end of the head B. These features as well as a few others which will be described are substantially the same as disclosed in myformer patent referred to and broadly speaking form no partofthe present invention except in so for as they constitute a necessary part of the 7o structure of the new machine the same as they did in the former one.

On the fiat surface of the top of the head A, a casting `10 is held by screws 1l, 11. This casting has an integral inclining arm 12 7 5 formedat the top and the upper edge of the inclining arm has a groove formed therein which in connection with the guard plate 13 constitutes a button chute for the automatic feed of buttons to the button setting mech- 8o anism at its lower end. Button hopper Mis secured at the upper end of the arm 1,2, the latter projecting into it about a third way to receive the buttons as they are lifted into the groove by the vertically reciprocating plun- S5 ger 15 in the hopperl To facilitate the feed into the chute and cause the buttons to drop o of the arm readily when their shanks do not happen to enter the groove at once, the edges 16, 16 are 9o beveled olf at the sides or in other words the arm is made just as narrow as possible at this point, it being only slightly wider than the groove itself at this point.

The plunger and the hopper are to all intents and purposes the same asin the former construction and hence will not be described in detail. There are however one or two slightdiierences which will now be described. One consists in the stops 17, 17, which are roo adapted to stop the plunger by striking the lower end of the hopper when the plunger has been raised as high as it is necessary for it to go. The other change consists in the construction at the connection between the plunger stem 18 and the arm 19 which projects from the cross-head B. The arm 19 has a hole 2O formed in `its outer end and the lower end of the stem 18 passes loosely through this hole, it being sustained 'yieldingly by means of a spiral spring 21 surrounding the lower end of the stem and confined between the arm and a shoulder 22 formed on the stem. A pin or key 23 passed through the end of the stem extending below the arm retains the shank in the arm. This construction admits of two things, it allows the cross head to rise the short distance 'required after .the plunger has stopped and when the parts are in their depressed or normal position, it admits of the plunger being depressed independently of the cross-head a sufficient distance so that it may be removed from the hopper should it be desirable at any time to put a new plunger in or to empty the hopper as the hole in the bottom of the hopper lled by the plunger is wide enough to allow the buttons to drop out when the plunger is removed.

Let us now proceed to a description of the button setting mechanism which constitute the more essential features of the present invention. j The end of the casting at the lower end of the button chute is made perfectly flat and smooth as at 24. A clamp C is secured on the outer end of a rocking shaft 25 adjacent to the face 24 the shaft being supported in the casting. The clamp C consists .of a iiat plate 26 having a hole 27 formed therein to receivev the end of the shaft 25 on which the clamp C is secured. Plate 26 has a backwardly projecting flange 27 preferably extending at right angles thereto and this flange carries the removable die 28 which clinches the button fastening pin. The iiange also is Vconstructed to lie iiat against a flattened face 29 of the outer end of shaft 25 which dattened portion prevents the clamp from turning upon the shaft and also forms a solid back for the die which otherwise might work loose or be forced out of place as it received the entire end thrust of the pin. The die is concaved and of such form that the pin enters it at a point beyond the outer end of the button shank after which it follows the concave, entering the eye or shank upon passing out of the die. A jaw 30 is pivoted to the plate 26 completing the clamp, it being provided with a notch 31 at the lower corner of its free end to receive the head of the button. This notch inclines inwardly and 'thus draws the button head inward, or theshank or eye snug against the die holding iange 27. A spring 32 connected with this jaw normally throws itl in contact with the head of the button when not otherwise prevented and a stop 33 projecting outwardly from the lcasting strikes this jaw and holds it open sufficiently when in its normal positionto receive the head of a button as fast as fed therein from the chute.- VIt will be observed that the flange 27 which holds the clinching die is normally in position to form a continuation of the chute so that as soon as the clamp assumes its normal position the lowest button in the button chute enters it, shank or eye downward as before preparatory to being fastened to the stock which fastening does not take effect until the clamp is turned, a quarter turn from its normal position, or in other words until the tiange 27 is turned from its normally vertical position to a horizontal position. The clamp C is held on its shaft by a nut 34 screwed on its outer end and the clamp is rocked back and forth at the required intervals by mechanism connected with the rear end of shaft 25 which will be hereinafter described. (3o-operating with this clamp C are three parts which will now be described and first the detent 35 which is secured to the outer end of arocking spring actuated pin 36. The free end of this detent is notched as at 37 to form a continuation of the button chute and the extreme end 38 by abutting against the die holding flange 27 not only holds the detentin position but also it assists with the adjacent portion of the detent in closing the clamp to insure the proper position of the button as it is fed into the latter. This detent being spring actuated,it is readily pushed aside as the clamp is rocked toward it and the spring likewise causes it to reassume its normal position when the clamp is returned to its normal position. Another cooperating feature consists in a plate 40. rlhis plate is adj ustably connected with a rocking spindle 41 the latter being split at its outer end to receive the plate and screw threaded to receive a nut 42 which latter is turned on to hold the plate securely in place. The plate is provided with a notch 43 at its free end, the inner end 44 of which forms a back against which the pin lies when driven against the die and which prevents its bending backward at this point. The adjustability of the plate 40 makes it possible to move it forward to compensate for wear which is liable to take place. To effect this adjustment it is simply necessary to loosen the nut a trifle and drive the plate outward a little by striking its butt end one or two slight blows. The shaft which holds this plate is furnished with a spring which normally holds the plate with considerable pressure against the lower portion of the clamp. Still another element which contributes to the successful operation of setting the button, consists in the sliding clamp bar 45. This bar reciprocates in a sleeve 46 formed for it on one side of the casting and when in its normal position its outer end lies just within the outer face 24 of the casting where it is cleared by the clamp as the latter makes its quarter revolution and the operationis such that this clamping bar does not move from its normal retreat until the die has assumed a horizontal position, and in fact the IOO IIO

clinchingtis about to take place, when theparts are so timed and constructed that the bar, is forced outward. The outer end 47 is tapered forming a cam which engages the beveled outer edge 48 of the pivoted jaw of the clamp and forced the latter positively inward so that it grips the button firmly and rigidly until the operation of setting the button and clinching is completed. By this means the button is held as solidly in place as if it were a part of the machine itself. The clamp bar remains in this position only momentarily. It then is made to resume its former position allowing the clamp to pass by as before. D is the button fastener chute. with the one employed in my former construc tion, the only difference being in the mode of operation of the fastener cut off which will be described. As these several parts, namely the clamp, the clamp bar, and the cut-oft C3 are all operated from the same source, the means employed for this purpose will now be described. First the mechanism for operating the clamp. On the rear end of the rock shaft 25 a segment 50 is secured. This segj. ment has a projection 51 thereon and a pair of ears 52, 52 in position to strike a stop 53 to limit the turns of the shaft and consequently the clamp. A lever 54 hinged to the cross head 3 is guided in its reciprocations by a pair of lugs 55, 55, projecting from arm 12 and this Vlever is furnished with a notch 56 in position to receive the projection 5l on `the segment when raised to a point where the notch is opposite said projection and a spring 56 bearing outwardly on the lower end of the lever, causes the latter to incline or rock inward against the projection 5l and consequently cause the notch to receive the projection when the lever is raised sufficiently high. This causes the rocking of the shaft 25 to assistin performing the setting operation and return the clamp to its normal position as the lever is raised and returned to its normal position. Thesliding clamp bar is operated by means of the cam lever 57. This lever is fulcrumed at 58 on one side of the casting 10,'it-s upper end operating loosely in a slot in the rear end of the clamping bar and its lower or free end is traversed by a pin or lug 59 which projects from the cross-head and bears against the rear edge of the cam lever. As the clamping bar is slid forward preferably by a stiff spring 60 located within the sleeve supporting it and bearing forwardly upon the clamping bar, the earn lever'is recessed or bent at 61 to admit of this movement of the bar so that when the cross-head is raised to a certain height this bent or raised portion 61 of the cam lever 57 falls opposite the pin or lug 59 permittingthe bar to slide forward. The return to normal position causes the pin or lug 59 to traverse the lower cam end of the cam lever and thus withdraw the clamping bar to its normal position. The fastener cut-off mechanism is also controlled by the cross head 3. It is very This is almost identical simple and as followsz-The rocking shank 62 of the cut-off 63 is bent laterally and a link 64 pivotally connected with the lever 54 has a hole in one end which loosely receives the shank of the cut-off, so that as this lever is rociprocatedit causes the cut od to rock back and forth once to receive one fastener, and drop it into the lower end of the chute, and at the same time cut off all the rest. The fastener chute is removably secured to one side of the casting by screws 65, 65 and a set screw 66 is used in adjusting the chute to the exact position` required relative to the clinching mechanism. The casting l0 is likewise held in place by screws and dowels so that it may not only be removed altogether but it is susceptible of slight lateral adjustment to get it in the exact position required. The fasteners are fed into a ferrule 68 like the one disclosed inthe former patent referred to 4and this ferrule has operating in connection with it the same form of hollow tube 69 and anvil rod 70 as before both of which are connected with the cross head inthe same manner, the only differences being that in the present construction the ferrule 68 is held removably in place in the top of head B by means of a set screw 7l and one side notched as at 72 to receive an end of the fastener chute and the hollow tube 69 is furnished with a vertical eX- ternal slot into which the inner end of a screw 73 projects, admitting of a sliding connection of the `tube but preventing the latter from turning. r

To operate the machine, a supply of buttons is placed in the hopper and a supply of fasteners in the fastener chute. The rod4 in the standard is raised from its normal position whereit is held bya spring inside of the standard by depressing the foot lever not shown. This raises the plunger in the hopper, the hollow tube 69 in the cross head 3, thelever 54, and the link 64. The projection 51 drops into the notch 56 and in thismanner the shaft 25 with its clamp C are rocked, the clamp acting as a cut-off to prevent the next button in the chute from dropping out. The clamp in rocking over pushes aside the spring actuated detent and the adjustable plate. As the upward movement of the rod continues the hollow tube and anvil are forced up to do their work, the clamping bar is forced outward against the pivoted jaw of the clamp and the buttons carried up by the plunger are discharged into the chute. By raising the foot the spring in the standard returns all of the parts to their normal positions.

It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrangement of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein set forth, but

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ist ICO 1'. In a button setting machine, the combination with a shaft adapted yto rock axially, of a clamp comprising a plate secured to the shaft, said plate having a laterally projecting fiange, and a jaw hinged to the plate and adapted to receive and clamp a button between it and the laterally projecting flange, substantially as set forth.

2. In abutton setting machine, a clamp consisting ofy a plate having a flange or projection extending laterally therefrom, and a jaw hinged tothe plate, said jaw having a notch formed therein adapted to receive the head of a button between itself and an edge of the flange, said notch inclining inward whereby to draw the button toward the hinge of the jaw, substantially as set forth. n

3. VIn a button setting machine, a clamp consisting of a plate having a laterally projecting die holding flange or projection, and a hinged jaw for holding the button head between it and the Iiange or projection, substantially as set forth.

4. In a button setting machine, the combination with a rocking shaft having a Iiattened face, of a clamp having a laterally projecting die holding flange or projection, the rear face of which lies against the flattened face of the shaft, substantially as set forth.

5. In a button setting machine, the combination with a rocking shaft, and a clamp secured on one end thereof adapted to receive and hold a button, of av segment secured on the shaft, and a reciprocating lever constructed to engage and rock the segment, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with a rocking shaft,

f and a clamp secured on one end of the latter,

of a segment on the rear of the shaft, a reciprocating cross-head, and a lever hinged to the cross-head and constructed to engage and rock the segment with the shaft and its clamp, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a reciprocating cross-head, and a rocking shaft having Ya clamp on one end, and asegment with a projection on the other end, stops for limiting the rocks of the clamp shaft, and a lever hinged to the cross-head and normally bearing against the projection on the segment, said lever constructed to rock the segment back and forth, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with the frame of the machine, button fastening mechanism, and a clamp comprising two parts and having pivotal or rocking connection with the frame whereby it may be swung or rocked from its normal position in which it receives the button, to the button fastening mechanism, of a clamping bar in position to engage the clamp during thebutton fastening operation whereby to lock it firmly upon the button, substantially as set forth. n

9. The combination with a clamp adapted to receive and hold a button betweenits parts of a spring actuated sliding clamp bar for engaging the clamp, a cam lever for moving said bar, and a reciprocating cross head adapted to vibrate the cam lever, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination with a button chute, of aclamp located at the lower end of the'chute `and adapted to receive buttons directly from the chute, and a pivoted detent adapted to bear on the clamp and having anotch therein which constitute a continuation of the chute and is adapted to receive the shank'or eye of the button and form a stop for it, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination with a button chute, of aclamp having ahinged jaw and a rearwardly extending ange or projection and a pivoted detent having a notch therein, said notch located in alignmentwith the button chute and adapted to receive a button eye or shank therein, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination with a rocking shaft, and a clamp thereon, said clamp carrying a die, of a pivotally supported plate having an edge in position to form a backing for the pin of the button fastener when the latter is being clinched, substantially as set forth.

13. The combination with a rocking shaft, means for rocking the shaft and a clamp secured on the shaft, of a spring actuated rocking bolt split at one end, and a plate adjustably secured in the split end of the bolt, said plate having an edge in position to form a backing for the pin of the button fastener when the latter is being clinched, substantially as set forth.

14. The combination with abutton chute, a rocking shaft, a clamp located on said shaft at a point adjacent to the lower end of the chute in position to receive buttons from the latter, a pivoted detent, an adjustable pivoted plate, and a sliding clamping bar of a reciprocating cross-head, two` levers operated by the cross head, one to rock the rocking shaft and the other to slide the clamping bar, sub- Stantially as set forth.

15. The combination with a fastener chute, and a cut-oft' therein said cut-off having a laterally projecting shank, of a reciprocating cross-head, a lever pivotally connected therewith and a link having pivotal connection with the lever and with which the shank of the "ut-off is connected, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with a fastener chute, of a rocking cut off therein, a rocking shank the end of which is bent laterally, of a reciprocating cross-head, a lever hinged thereto, and a link pivoted to the lever and loosely connected with thc shank of the cut-off, substantially as set forth.

17. The combination with a button chute, and a rocking clamp comprising two jaws hinged together, said clamp located at the lower end of the chute and adapted to receive and clamp the button and turn its eye or shank from a vertical to a horizontal position, of a die carried by a clamp, and an anvil rod for forcing the fastener through the button eye, substantially as set forth.

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ro justably supported thereon, and a removable fastener chute adj ustably connected with the cast-ing, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this speciicationiu the presence of two subscrlbing Witnesses.

ALEXANDER G. WILKINS.

Witnesses:

GEORGE F. DOWNING, S. G. NOTTINGHAM. 

